Microsoft gets into media player groove
Yahoo | at | by Mike
As computer users download more music and videos from the Internet, companies are jostling to provide the software they need to listen and watch. Microsoft, the No. 1 software maker, expects to vanquish RealNetworks in media players. To claim victory, Microsoft must win the allegiance of media companies -- to supply music and videos -- and telecoms to distribute the content. Microsoft is going hard after what it believes will be the sweet spot by distributing its Windows Media Player free and enticing consumer electronics makers to embed the Windows Media format in about 120 models of CD players, car stereos and portable music devices. The software giant wants to get consumers in the habit of using the Windows Media format to download music and copy CDs onto their PC hard drives, then rip copies to play on Windows Media-equipped devices.